Thanks for your note about vote trading. There is a definate appeal to the 'having our cake and eating it to' aspects of the vote trading concept, which has been prmoted through several web sites.

However, vote trading doesn't seem to hold up. For one thing, several state attorney generals and US Attorney General Janet Reno have stated that vote trading is illegal under their respective state and federal laws.

For another thing, since the voting itself is personal and private, there's absolutely no way to enforce it. Note the comment on this actual signature on the 'Letter to Nader' petition (from someone with a negative attitude about the petition, but a real signature line, nonetheless):

5652. Tad Hinnenkamp MN 55057 28 friends and I have promised online to trade our Nader votes away so that we will vote for Gore in MN, It's too bad we lied...now there are 56 more Nader votes! Go Nader!!!!!!!

Interesting that he left his internet address.====== End Forwarded Message ======

That example of "vote stealing" in the guise of "vote trading" is currently online at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?nader1&451

(those links into the middle of the signatures shift gradually as the total number of the signatures increases, so you'll probably have to hunt backwards for that petition line if you want to see it for yourself.)

Bottom line:

Vote as you need to. But vote for yourself! In swing states, VOTE GORE/LIEBERMAN.

Nader may or may not get 5% for the Green Party, which at this point I have to feel they may or may not deserve, based on their campaign in this election, marginally ethical at best. But responsible progressive voters should really leave that question for the states where the winner is already decided.

Solid Republican voters can switch to Nader in any and all states, however!

Best wishes,

Kevin MatthewsEugene, Oregon

On 11/5/00 at 11:38 AM, Susannah Smith wrote:

] There are emails going around, in the same vein, that allow people to trade] votes in the swing states. If you know of any, could you send me one? I] would be glad to trade a Nader vote in Colorado, which is not a swing state,] with a Nader vote in a swing state, but I can't find my email that allows me] to do that. Can you help? Thanks. Susannah] ] > -----Original Message-----] > From: PetitionOnline [mailto:petitions@petitiononline.com]] > Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2000 11:16 AM] > To: shasNO-SPAM@rmi.net] > Subject: Signature Confirmation - A Letter to Candidate Ralph Nader] >] >] > Dear Dr. Susannah Smith,] >] > This email message is sent to you from PetitionOnline.com to] > confirm your signature as "Dr. Susannah Smith" on the online petition:] >] > "A Letter to Candidate Ralph Nader"] >] > hosted on the web by our free online petition service, at:] >] > http://www.PetitionOnline.com/nader1/] >] > Your signature on the petition is already complete, and there is no need] > to reply to this message.] >] > At PetitionOnline.com, we host the petition you've signed, but we didn't] > create it. If you would like to comment on the petition, you can contact] > the author of the petition by email, at:] >] > Kevin Matthews, matthews@artifice.com] >] > If you would like to help some more to support the cause of this] > petition, it would be great to take a moment now and send a quick email] > message to let some friends and allies know about it.] >] > Here's some text you can just copy and paste into your own email message] > to help spread the word about this petition:] >] > + --------- copy from here --------- +] >] > Dear Friends,] >] > I have just read and signed the online petition:] >] > "A Letter to Candidate Ralph Nader"] >] > hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition] > service, at:] >] > http://www.PetitionOnline.com/nader1/] >] > I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might] > agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider] > signing yourself.] >] > Best wishes,] >] > Dr. Susannah Smith] >] > + --------- down to here ---------- +] > + paste into your own email, & send +] >] >] > A note along those lines, sent from you to your friends, can make an] > especially effective contribution to the petition. A successful] > petition is a grassroots collaborative effort, and now it's your turn.] > The power of the Internet is in your hands -- so spread the word!] >] > Note, however, that in helping to promote this petition you are] > expressly prohibited from sending unsolicited bulk mail messages] > ("junk mail" or "spam"). This includes, but is not limited to,] > bulk-mailing of commercial advertising, information] > announcements, and political tracts. Such material may only be] > sent to those who have specifically requested it.] >] > Confirmation in Error?] >] > On the other hand, if you believe you have received this confirmation of] > signature in error, and, if you received the email _directly_ from] > PetitionOnline.com, then please forward this entire message, ASAP, with] > a brief explanation, to:] >] > webmaster@PetitionOnline.com] >] > An erroneous signature confirmation is usually caused by a] > typographic error by a legitimate signer. With millions of email] > addresses on the internet, there are very many addresses that are] > only one letter apart. However, an erroneous signature] > confirmation could also be caused by deliberate impersonation, so] > all confirmation errors will be investigated carefully.] >] > By the way, we don't keep any email distribution lists associated] > with petition signers at PetitionOnline.com, so there is never] > any mail list here you'd need to be unsubscribed from.] >] > We honor you for the courage of your convictions. And we thank you for] > participating in the free and open expression of public opinion.] >] > Best wishes,] >] > Kevin Matthews] > President] > Artifice, Inc.] >] >] > Notice: (The lawyers make us say this)] >] > www.PetitionOnline.com provides free hosting of public petitions for] > responsible public advocacy. There is no express or implied endorsement] > of this petition or other hosted petitions by Artifice, Inc. or our] > sponsors.] >] http://www.PetitionOnline.com] ] It's quick and easy. Create your own free online petition today at] www.PetitionOnline.com!] ] + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +] Artifice, Inc. http://www.artifice.com] http://www.GreatBuildings.com] http://www.HomeDesignStore.com] http://www.ArchitectureWeek.com] 800.203.8324 toll free . 541.345.7421 voice . 541.345.7438 fax] creative tools and media for spatial design . Eugene, Oregon, USA] + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +] ]